Chapter 2087: Experimental Modification

Deep within the dimly lit cave, Sein found Julius sitting cross-legged on a platform at its centre.

Every knight house in Magus World had its own training methods, and House Grantt was no exception.

The moment Sein stepped inside, he noticed that the concentration of pyro elemental particles was unusually high.

Clearly, House Grantt had specially prepared this cave as a secluded training ground.

As Sein approached, Julius slowly opened his eyes.

“You’re here, Sein,” he said in a deep voice.

As the founder of House Grantt and Sein’s elder, Julius, much like Kelman, had no reason to speak overly respectfully toward Sein simply because of the latter’s current strength and status.

Sein nodded. “I’ve come to help, Great-Grandfather.”

Then, without beating around the bush, he said, “If possible, I’d also like to conduct some bloodline modification and body tempering experiments on you.”

Julius naturally did not refuse. He knew better than anyone that advancing to Rank Four through his own efforts alone had become exceedingly difficult.

Strictly speaking, he still had one more chance. But even Julius himself understood that this so-called final chance was little more than a consolation he gave himself.

When Sein first returned to Magus World, he had already pointed out Julius’ greatest mistake.

He had been too impatient.

For an ordinary demigod-level knight, failing twice in succession to advance to Rank Four was usually enough to put an end to any hope of progressing further.

Had Julius been a little more patient and waited for Sein to return before making his next attempt, things might have turned out very differently.

With Sein assisting him, his chances of successfully advancing to Rank Four would have increased by at least twenty percent.

Fortunately, it was not too late yet. Julius was still alive, and both his vitality and soul remained strong enough to support one final desperate attempt.

Sein glanced around the cave.

“We’ll turn this place into my temporary laboratory. I brought all the stuff I’ll need.”

He then looked at Julius seriously.

“Great-Grandfather, from this point onward, all you need to do is follow my instructions. Some of the bloodline modification experiments will be extremely painful. You’ll have to endure them.”

Pain, however, was hardly something a knight feared.

Julius simply nodded. At a time like this, even as Sein’s elder, he could not bring himself to put on any airs in front of him.

After pondering for quite some time and gradually forming a general outline for the experiments ahead, Sein continued, “The Reverse Winged Lion King has already formed the closest kind of blood pact with you, Great-Grandfather. The bloodline modification and body tempering experiments I’ve planned will require its participation as well.”

Julius nodded again. He and the Reverse Winged Lion King had long since reached a state where their minds and spirits were closely intertwined. If Julius succeeded in advancing to Rank Four, the Reverse Winged Lion King would undoubtedly advance alongside him.

Sein snapped his fingers, and one after another, elemental golems and excavation robots emerged from the Magic Cube and immediately set to work around the cave.

Having established temporary laboratories across numerous planes over the years, Sein was already extremely familiar with this sort of renovation.

Julius ended his training session and quietly watched as Sein settled into his work.

One experimental material after another was taken out from Sein’s spatial storage equipment.

Among them were several particularly precious materials, including divine relics and top-grade blood crystals that caught Julius’ attention.

***

After entering House Grantt’s secluded training grounds, Sein remained there for several months without leaving even once.

During that time, his robotic puppets also began collecting large quantities of blood from members of House Grantt.

Whenever they had some free time, the knights of House Grantt could not help but gather together and whisper among themselves.

“Do you think the Ancestor will succeed in advancing to Rank Four this time?” a Rank Two female knight asked her companion while clutching her own arm.

A bright red needle mark could still be seen on it.

Even for a Rank Two Land Knight, having nearly three liters of blood drawn at once was no small matter.

Having that much taken several times in succession was enough to leave her feeling rather dizzy and light-headed.

“I don’t know,” the male knight beside her replied bluntly.

He had also had his blood drawn. In fact, even more.

None of these House Grantt knights understood why their most revered ancestor, the Tower Master of Ashes, suddenly needed so much blood from members of the family.

And House Grantt was not the only one subjected to this activity.

Recently, every lion-type magic beast in Ashenreach that shared a bloodline connection with the Reverse Winged Lion King had also been rounded up and brought to the estate.

Just like the members of House Grantt, the first thing awaiting these lions upon arrival was blood extraction.

Then, during the third month after Sein entered the cave, even the Reverse Winged Lion King itself was summoned inside.

By this point, the entire rock garden had become a forbidden area within House Grantt.

The knights of House Grantt would often cast curious glances toward the area whenever they passed by.

After all, the prospect of advancing to Rank Four was something both mysterious and deeply alluring to them.

Inside the cave laboratory, Julius and the Reverse Winged Lion King lay on separate experimental tables.

Numerous energy conduits and specialised nutrient tubes were connected to their bodies, continuously supplying them with energy and nourishment.

Thanks to Sein’s efforts over the past few months to restore their constitutions and replenish their vital energy, both Julius and the Reverse Winged Lion King had recovered much of their former vitality.

Julius’ violet hair had regained some of its luster, and traces of his former handsomeness could once again be seen.

Meanwhile, the Reverse Winged Lion King’s previously withered muscles had filled out considerably and become firm once more.

Standing between the two experimental tables, Sein held a vial of concentrated, deep-red blood essence in each hand.

With the Faceless Mask assisting him, he quickly analysed the next stage of the experiment before marking the two vials accordingly.

Before injecting the contents into the apparatus connected to the experimental tables, Sein mused aloud, “Based on the principles of bloodline studies Mel mentioned before, as well as the knight enhancement experiments I encountered in the North, purified blood essence does seem to be more effective at stimulating the recipient’s latent potential.”

After a brief pause, he added, “Actually, I should have brought Leena along too. The black mages of Blackhaven are quite skilled when it comes to bloodline enhancement experiments. Even if Leena herself hasn’t had much experience with this kind of modification, Mikaeli should know a thing or two.”[1]

With that thought in mind, he sent Leena a quick message through his crystal ball at the Divine Tower of Ashes.

Then, without further delay, Sein poured the two vials of deep-red blood essence into the experimental apparatus before him.

The moment the bloodline essence entered the system, the already highly active elemental energy within the cave surged once more.

A dazzling red glow instantly flooded the entire laboratory.

***

Half a month later, Leena arrived silently at House Grantt’s restricted rock garden, dressed in her usual black robes.

It was not until two full years had passed since Sein first began working on Julius and the Reverse Winged Lion King that something finally changed.

A thunderous lion’s roar suddenly erupted from deep within the rock garden.

Along with it came a faint, yet clearly suppressed, knightly aura.

1. Author’s Note: Sein knew that Leena and Mikaeli shared memories, though he had yet to realise just how deep their connection truly ran. ☜